About Temple Beth El of Boca Raton
Our mission is to meet the expanding religious needs of a multi-generational Jewish population in a rapidly changing environment.
Temple Beth El of Boca Raton seeks to provide a spiritual home for the Jewish community. In this home are three houses: a house of worship, a house of learning, and a house of community.
Our History
In 1967, ten Jewish Boca Raton worshipers were invited to congregate for Shabbat services in an unused auditorium at the all girls’ Catholic school known as Marymount College, now Lynn University. Out of that small gathering, congregants envisioned building the community’s first temple. In 1977 their vision became reality when Temple Beth El was built on 10 acres of land. Today, Temple Beth El is not only Boca Raton's first synagogue, it continues to be one the largest Reform congregations in the Southeast.
Our Commitment
Over thousands of years, the synagogue has endured as the strongest institution in Judaism. At its heart is the commitment to strengthen and replenish the Jewish spirit and perpetuate its people as one. It is the home of sacred words and values given to us by God, who compels us to teach those values to our children.
For more than four decades, Temple Beth El of Boca Raton has served this role for our congregational family and community. Thousands benefit from our myriad programs each designed to strengthen our ties to the past and our commitment to the future.
We are . . .
- Dedicated to the ideal of weaving the timeless wisdom of Jewish tradition with the modern world in which we live.
- Welcoming to Jews, Jews-by-Choice, and those from other faith traditions who seek to be part of the Jewish community.
- Committed to enhancing each members individual spiritual quest – and serving each member’s special individual needs.
- Dedicated to fostering a sense of connection to the larger Jewish community in America, in Israel, and around the world.
Our Clergy and Professionals
The rabbis,
cantorial professionals, educators, and administrative staff seek to help the congregation to understand the inspirational wisdom and meaning in Jewish tradition in ways that make sense in our world and our lives. As part of the Temple Beth El family, the clergy and staff believe in helping each member of the congregation to get the very most Jewish tradition can offer, celebrating with each family in times of joy, and there to guide and comfort in moments of tragedy and sorrow.
Our Programs
Our
worship services,
educational programs,
community service projects and social gatherings are each designed to uplift the Jewish spirit. Supporting this is our strong musical program for both adults and youth. For specific information on these programs, please visit the appropriate area.
Our Facilities
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Main Campus
Temple Beth El is a 100,000 square-foot multipurpose facility that serves the spiritual, educational, and social needs of our members. Buildings include a large electronically equipped sanctuary and chapel, an educational facility with three playgrounds, three social halls, bridal preparation suite, adult library, Judaica Shop, meeting rooms, full service kitchen, and outdoor courtyards.
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Mausoleum
To help temple members complete the Jewish cycle of life, it was the vision of the laity to build a mausoleum on temple grounds. Completed in 2006, the Mausoleum at Temple Beth El was built in three phases over a 10-year period and offers crypts and niches in a variety of settings. The Joyce Throne Meditation Garden, a lush tropical outdoor garden with a flowing water feature and teakwood benches, sits just outside the entrance to all three phases of the Mausoleum and provides a tranquil area for visitors to meditate, reflect and offer prayers.
Beck Family Campus
In August 2009, Temple Beth El of Boca Raton opened the Beck Family Campus, a new six-acre educational facility in western Boca Raton. The campus features Infant Child Care, Early Childhood Education, Religious School, summer camp and activity center. Click here for more information.
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Temple Beth El Officers
- Patty Beck - President
- Stephanie Lowen - Executive Vice President
- Barry M. Podolsky - Vice President of Finance/Treasurer
- Allen Lev - Vice President of Administration
- Ken Gordon – Vice President of Congregational Activities
- Dina Schwartz – Vice President of Education and Youth
- Clifford Hark - Vice President of Development and Endowment Committee Chair
- Michael Blackman - Vice President of Membership and Programming
- Lisa Oken - Secretary
Temple Beth El Board of Trustees
- Danielle Butler - Early Childhood Committee Chair
- Kenneth Mogell - Continuing Education Committee Chair
- Shari Schwamm - Education and Youth Committee Chair
- Richard Levitt - Religious Activities Committee Co-Chair
- David Morse - Religious Activities Committee Co-Chair
- Wendy Walin - Community Service Committee Chair
- Stephen Manton - Operations Committee Chair
- Neal Slafsky - Finance Committee Chair
- Ilyne Mendelson – Mausoleum Committee Chair
- Karyn Hoffman - Membership Committee Co-Chair
- Marjorie Minor - Membership Committee Co-Chair
- Adam Shapiro - BOFTY President
- Larry Hotz - Brotherhood President
- Lisa Zwick - Sisterhood President
- Charles Abell - Trustee
- M. Richard Asher - Trustee
- Aline Fisher - Trustee
- Michael Frost - Trustee
- Tracey Grossman - Trustee
- Jeffrey Katz - Truestee
- Stephen Kaufman - Trustee
- Barry Krinsky - Trustee
- Robert Marton - Trustee
- Bruce Moldow - Trustee
- David Pincus - Trustee
- Mark Sunshine - Trustee
To learn more about Temple Beth El of Boca Raton, please call 561/391-8900.